Wednesday, 31 August 2016

After work this evening I went to visit my Father. I picked up fish-'n'-chips on route and ate these in my car along the end of Fenway Road, Heacham by the Sewage Treatment Works – I dine in such exquisite locations!!! I was hoping to see some migrants whilst here, but nothing of note seen. I was going to get out of the car and walk along the track, but was glad I didn't when a family walked past with a muzzled Doberman!!!

Father didn't look too bad at all this evening when I arrived at 7pm. He was going to bed just before I got there, but stayed up when he realised I was going to entertain him. He was talking about all kinds of odd things to begin with – something about electricians and other stuff, none of it made any sense. However his conversation was mostly appropriate and relevant as time went on. Told him all about the bird news and how the Western Purple Swamphen had turned up again in Lincolnshire and let him know about Mother's eye situation. I also had a lovely chat with a Ophthalmologist at the QEH today, who informed me that my Mother may have 'Third Nerve Palsy', as did my very knowledgeable colleague Cilla yesterday - thanks! I told Father all about this too.

Father asked me 'Are you coming tomorrow too?' in such a sweet voice that makes you feel so bad when you reply that you 'can't come here every day' – so difficult. Whilst Father was whisked off to the bathroom, I got chatting to another gentleman here, who told me he was having a 'holiday' – I presume respite. I had a wonderful conversation with him and tried to get Father involved too. For confidentiality reasons I can't say all I want to say, but he is a local man. He went to the same high school as me in Hunstanton and he remembered some of the same teachers that were there when I was, including Ken Bolton the Headmaster, known as batman by the pupils, because of the long black cloak he used to wear and he also remembered Eddie Pendal, english teacher. We reminisced about shops that were once in a small local village, that are no more and I also felt chuffed when he remembered Father writing 'Nature Notes' for the Lynn News, but he hadn't realised that's who Peter was! This conversation seemed to interest my Father alot.

Father also decided that he wanted to try and stand, so with my Therapy Assistant experience, I decided to give it a go. I really should have done this with two people, but knew I would be ok just to attempt a stand – I certainly wasn't going to be walking with him on my own. He did pretty well and attempted three stands, but was not able to stand tall enough (maintain linear extension) – he lost energy after the third attempt! He seemed pleased that he had managed this, which was nice. I might bring the Rollator Frame out on my next visit.

It was an unexpected fun evening and there was lots of amusing moments. Nicola (staff) was in top form, she's such a sweet lady. I decided to see if Father could finish the sentences I started eg 'Time for bed said...'? Then I gave him a clue, 'The Magic Roundabout' and he replied 'Fred', which for some reason had us all in stitches! For you youngsters the answer is 'Zebedee' (google to understand fully!). Another....... 'It's Friday, it's five o'clock and it's.....' ? He didn't reply to that one, but the man I had been talking to did.... 'Crackerjack'. I then showed the man I had been talking to a picture of my parents on their wedding day and also to Nicola – she said to my father what a handsome man he was and father replied 'how much money do you want'!!! More laughter all round. I told Father that it was much more fun here than in my house and he said 'you welcome here anytime' – bless him!I stayed with father until the night staff took him up to bed at 9.30pm and then cruised back to King's Lynn. I was very tired, but it had been worth it. Can't believe its the 1st September tomorrow!Also, are there any knitters out there that could make something like this for me, but with birds on? My father's hands get really cold and when I google old fashion 'muffs' I found lots of 'Twiddle Muffs' as they are called for dementia patients, here is picture of a rather nice one I found, but I couldn't find a bird one, not that father can see anyway, but it would be great to have one with a bird or two, moth, caterpillar, flower etc!

MEGA NEWS MEGA! WESTERN PURPLE SWAMPHEN 8 miles north of Scunthorpe at Alkborough Flats Nature Reserve, Lincolnshire.MEGA! FEA'S/ZINO'S PETREL south of Great Skellig, County Kerry, Ireland.MEGA! HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL still 4 miles east of Penzance, 500yds west of Perranuthnoe at Boat Cove, Cornwall.MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICANon Loe Pool, Helston, Cornwall.MEGA! ROYAL TERN ad. (probably American Royal Tern) unconfirmed report on Friday, flew south past Carnsore Point, County Wexford, Ireland.

MEGA NEWSMEGA! HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL still 4 miles east of Penzance, 500yds west of Perranuthnoe at Boat Cove, Cornwall.MEGA! AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER again, 4 miles NNE of Aberdeen just south of Blackdog off Mucar Links, Aberdeenshire.MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICANon Loe Pool, Helston, Cornwall.

There were no birds at all in the apple tree and scrub at the end of the boardwalk, which was a huge disappointment, but lovely views of a Common Lizard lounging on privet stems, found by Andrew Bloomfield whilst we were chatting. This is only the second time I have witnessed a lizard sitting in a bush, the last time was one I photographed sitting in a bramble at Holme Bird Observatory six years ago.

I headed west – Gun Hill produced more, with 3 Willow Warblers and 2 Wheatears in the large area of scrub just before the hill and a large flock of Linnets. At the bushes/scrub on the seaward side of the hill I saw a Whinchat and a pair of Stonechats with more Linnets. A young couple who were wearing impractical shoes, walked towards me and asked how to get to the beach!!! I politely said 'if you go further over there, you should be able to cross in the clearing' I said, pointing west. The beach was directly behind us, but this mean't walking past brambles and dense marram clumps – its the countryside! I then walked past the brambles and marram and stood on the beach to identify a very large flock of small waders standing on the white sands – I counted 172 Ringed Plovers, 93 Sanderlings and 104 Dunlin!!! This was without a doubt, the highlight of the day. I couldn't believe how many Ringed Plovers were there! They didn't seemed bothered at all by the boats and noisy people sailing up and down the channel between them and Scolt Head Island. It really was a spectacle watching these birds dozing, preening and running around on the shell covered beach, in glorious sunshine.

I walked back to the end of the boardwalk and watched hundreds of Common and Black-headed Gulls swirling round in the skies
catching flying ants. I sat by the apple tree, but still no birds popped out of the foliage. Heading back along the sea wall, I watched 3 Spoonbills fly overhead east at 6.15pm and 1 Spoonbill was asleep on the large pool. Black skies and threatening rain, speeded up my walk back to my car!

Stopped at Titchwell RSPB and sat in my car in the far car park to watch for any migrants that may appear in the scrub, but nothing seen at all. Watched the sun set at Thornham Harbour and then visited my Mother for a very short while before heading home. Work tomorrow!

Saturday, 27 August 2016

I was up and out of the house early with birding gear packed, in case I had time to go birding, or had to make time if it was a mega! My first job this morning was to get Mother to the opticians at 8.55am in Hunstanton. Last week I made her an appointment, but didn't tell her – the reason for this is, that if she had known about the appointment, she would have cancelled it. 'Why' you ask? Because she stubbornly refuses to go to any appointments that are involved with health, GPs and all! I wasn't actually going to tell her until this morning, but my plan was blown yesterday when the opticians phoned her to confirm she would be attending! Needless to say, I was in trouble!

Mother has been suffering badly with her eyes over the last year and I knew that she had cataract issues at the very least, as she had been told this at her last eye test in Spec Savers, King's Lynn a couple of years ago. Both my sister's and I have all remarked on mother screwing up her left eye on and off for a long time now and also her iris appears to have dropped to the side and seems to be looking in a different direction. We have constantly nagged her about getting it checked, but she made all sorts of excuses and refused to get it looked at. As with the hip situation recently, I decided to take control myself!

I was surprised that she was actually prepared and ready to go to the appointment when I arrived this morning, so off we headed to Hunstanton. I waited by the reception in the opticians and then was called in by the optometrist to discuss what he had found. There were indeed cataracts that were now ready to be removed when mother wanted them done, but they were not the main issue we were told. Mother's symptoms that I described, were being caused by something, but the optometrist wasn't sure what and said that she needed to have a scan to find out what was going on – he also ticked mother off and said she should have had this eye test a long time ago and that quote 'leaving things will not make things better'. Mother was diagnosing herself (which is the usual pattern of conversation!) AND not listening properly and when I asked did she understand what had been said she said 'yes' and repeated what she thought she had heard back to me, which was in fact incorrect and the optriomist swung round from his swivel chair and corrected her in a very firm tone!!! Mother now has to give the referral letter to her GP to send to the QEH for a eye scan.

Anyway, obviously Mother was worried when we left and I was too – but I tried my best to reassure her. She has had no headaches or sickness, so my gut feeling is that it isn't anything really nasty if you know what I mean. But I have no idea what it is – I just hope that it can be sorted out for her.

We then went to Sainsbury's and then on to visit Father in Heacham. He was sat in his chair asleep when we arrived. I was very concerned when I felt his skin – his hands, face and forehead were extremely cold and clammy (which I highlighted to staff). His didn't look a good colour at all and he seemed extremely fatigued, more than normal and could hardly speak to me. I went to his room to fetch his blue/green tartan rug, but it wasn't there, so asked staff to find it for me – it was found in one of the other resident's rooms – put this over father's lap and knees to try and warm him up. I have never felt him so cold before. He managed to become more alert and then told me he had been 'left in the bathroom all night' and that he had been cold. When you hear something like this, you try to brush it off in your mind when your father has dementia, but the words keep springing up in your mind again and again. I presume he mean't that he had been left in his room all night – which is where of course he should be!

Anyway, we took Father into the garden in his wheelchair, but only for a few seconds as he said it was too cold. We helped him with his lunch, which looked very nice indeed and he ate nearly everything – he also really seemed to enjoy the banana milkshake. A resident's wife seemed surprised at how much my father had eaten and said he doesn't normally eat that much, which made me feel a bit sad, as overall he had a very good appetite in the middle of the day at home. We took Father back to the living room where staff transferred him back to his armchair – we covered him up with his rug and left him having an afternoon nap.

Mother and I were exhausted when we returned to Holme and after our ploughman's roll purchased from Sainsbury's, we both had an afternoon nap. Then the house went into black out with the most massive thunderstorm, lashing rain and lightening I have seen for a long time. It rained and rained as I tried to cat-nap. Later there was a break in the rain. Mother and I walked to the top of her garden so that I could assess the tree situation (long story). A neighbour wanted to cut some very tall and mature ash trees down to 20ft 'ish and I needed to check some facts – mother seemed to think they were her trees, which in fact there are not, as they were in her neighbour's garden (just) and she also seemed to think that because she thought they were her trees, that he was going to leave all the cut down sections in her garden. So off I went, to pop round the said neighbour's house for a friendly discussion – all sorted and clarified, trees coming down to 20ft 'ish and all sections cut will be removed and taken away. Obviously I agree with Mother that the trees would be nicer left as they are, but at the end of the day they belong to the neighbour, so its up to him – he said the trees had alot of dead wood and were diseased – I couldn't see this, but again they are his trees, so his decision. Mother was frustrated about the trees coming down, as they have been there for many many years and she said 'the Fieldfares like sitting in these trees'. Whilst chatting with the neighbour another massive storm occurred. The torrential rain lulled into normal rain and I sprinted back to my Mother's house, which just about killed me off. Reported back to Mother as to what had been agreed and then I left to return home.

The crossroads at Holme was flooded – I kept thinking about Father as I was driving and decided to visit him again, to see if he looked any better. It was 8pm when I turned up. I was told he had been shouting earlier – the staff thought it had been because of the storm. He was in bed, but not asleep when I crept up to his room. He was very surprised and seemed pleased when he realised it was me. I was glad I visited a second time as he skin now felt warm and toasty and he looked a much better colour in his face. He was laying on his back which he hates (presumed he wriggled into this position), so I re-positioned him onto his side with help from a staff member and requested a second pillow to support his back (which mother and I always did at home), kissed him good night and left.

Back at home I promptly fell asleep. There has to be some rare birds tomorrow surely? With the east winds and massive storm this afternoon, I would be shocked if there wasn't a good bird or two to see in the morning – will keep my fingers crossed, as I will be birding all day. I noticed on Twitter and Facebook, that some of the regular Blakeney Point birders had been out this afternoon – brave people! I've been out there in a storm and its not funny at all. I'll walk it in rain, but don't really want to be struck off yet!!!

MEGA NEWSMEGA! ROYAL TERN ad. (probably American Royal Tern) at Carrigaholt Bay, County Kerry, Ireland.MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN SE of Devoran at Restronguet Creek, Cornwall.MEGA! HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL still 4 miles east of Penzance, 500yds west of Perranuthnoe at Boat Cove, Cornwall.

Friday, 26 August 2016

What
a crazy day!!! Amazing achievement with my Stroke 'A' Team – moving the
entire ward with lift issues and hot weather
thrown in as well, helped us all lose a few pounds! Our ward is having a major refurbishment, so we have moved to an unoccupied ward for a few months.

On the way home from work this evening I had to call 999,
as when I stopped at my local shop, I witnessed the most terrifying
driving I had ever seen: two lads driving at approximately 90 mph along the road (30mph road) and overtaking every car on route. They drove
so quickly I couldn't even see any of the number plate, but I remembered
the car and I won't forget it. I really hope they carried on driving
like that through town, so that the police caught up with them! I still
can't believe I witnessed the speed of that car in a 30mph zone!

I nearly had a fit, when I half heartily looked at the RBA website on my phone at lunch time and saw the letters appear that spelt 'MEGA Lanceolated Warbler.......' and then went on to read '... yesterday, briefly in long grass in bank midway along main path at c6pm at Titchwell RSPB!!!' I sighed with relief, reading the word 'yesterday'! My colleagues were as usual, amused at my huge excitement over a 'bird' – 'just a bird'.

Tomorrow may bring some 'early birds'. Pity its not October with the easterly winds and rain forecast for Saturday! Still may bring 'rares' if we're lucky! Family and birding on Saturday and Sunday. Working on Bank Holiday Monday!

Lanceolated Warbler would be very nice indeed, having never seen one anywhere! Chances of that being re-found are probably nil though.

MEGA NEWSMEGA! LANCEOLATED WARBLER yesterday, briefly in long grass in bank midway along main path at c6pm
at Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk. MEGA! ROYAL TERN ad. (probably American Royal Tern) again NNW of Listowel + 1.5 miles ESE of Beale Point at beach at Littor Strand, County Kerry, Ireland.MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN SE of Devoran at Restronguet Creek, Cornwall.MEGA! HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL still 4 miles east of Penzance, 500yds west of Perranuthnoe at Boat Cove, Cornwall.MEGA! AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER again, 4 miles NNE of Aberdeen just south of Blackdog off Mucar Links, Aberdeenshire.

MEGA NEWS MEGA! ROYAL TERN ad. (probably American Royal Tern) again NNW of Listowel at Beale Point, County Kerry, Ireland.MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN SE of Devoran at Restronguet Creek, Cornwall.MEGA! HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL still 4 miles east of Penzance, 500yds west of Perranuthnoe at Boat Cove, Cornwall.MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN still at Dundalk at Soldier's Point, County Lough, Ireland.MEGA! LEAST SANDPIPER again at Loop Head 1 mile east of Kilbaha at Cloghaun Lough, County Clare, Ireland.

Wednesday, 24 August 2016

After Father's visit from the GP yesterday, I wanted to go and see him this evening. I cooked a quick tea and headed to Heacham with binoculars and camera – I was hoping to persuade Father to join me (in his wheelchair) to walk along Fenway Road to look for yesterday's Pied Flycatcher, but he refused. He didn't look very good when I first arrived – he was badly positioned in the chair and had obviously wriggled forward on his air cushion and looked fatigued. Mind you, everyone is looking fatigued in this heat wave! I helped him to re-position further back in the chair – it took me three attempts. He looked a whole lot better when he was sitting upright. Unusually his speech seemed clearer this evening and I could understand most of what he was saying. He seemed worried and relieved as soon as I saw him, as he got into his head that I had had a car accident and had obviously been really concerned about me, which made me feel quite sad. He looked confused and relieved all at the same time, when I explained that I had not had a car accident.

I tried all my persuasive powers to encourage him to come outside, but he dug his heels in and said it would be cold and to be fair, it was cooler this evening. We sat and chatted for a good while about recent birds and recent goings on with Mother's neighbours (long story) that I was sorting and told him not to worry and that thank goodness I had inherited my alertness to other people's hidden agendas from him, to which he responded with a little smile. 'Don't worry' I said.... 'I don't miss a trick'. I then rang Mother so he could chat to her on the phone – again his speech was quite good and Mother seemed to understand what he was saying and he her, which was nice.

Father still hasn't settled and it seems like he is giving up, but I reminded him about his 90th birthday on 2nd November and that I had booked the day off work to celebrate his big day. He seems frightened at night times and says he doesn't like 'being put in a room and left'. So I had to explain that the room is his bedroom and went on to explain, that the place he lives in, is just a big house and that all the bedrooms are upstairs and how many people live here and why they are here, just like him etc etc. I have this conversation nearly every time I visit, but its very important to remind people with any level of dementia of 'time and place' as its called professionally – they forget where they are, why they have been moved etc. I makes it even more difficult when someone like my Father can't see – so for him, he doesn't know who staff are and who other residents are. He's not familiar with all the different rooms in the house and can only rely on people's voices.

It's heartbreaking to know that apart from visiting him, I can't improve his situation. He also got tearful a couple of times and said he wanted to go home and again I had to explain why he can't return home. He also asked how he got here and I had the delicate job of explaining that because of Social Services inadequate service of not providing two people and a wheelchair taxi, that it was the Manager Nigel and myself that had brought him here – I reminded him of how sick he had been on the journey, but he couldn't remember this at all.

I tried to get him to drink, but the reason he declined initially was because he said 'I will want to go to the toilet if I drink too much'. I encouraged him to have a drink just before I left. Drove back to King's Lynn and did the supermarket run – it was pouring with rain when I came out of the shop. North East winds and showers tomorrow – could bring a mega or two, you never know!

MEGA NEWSMEGA! ROYAL TERN ad. (probably American Royal Tern) again NNW of Listowel at Beale Point, County Kerry, Ireland.MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN SE of Devoran at Restronguet Creek, Cornwall. MEGA! AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER again, 4 miles NNE of Aberdeen just south of Blackdog off Mucar Links, Aberdeenshire.MEGA! HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL still 4 miles east of Penzance, 500yds west of Perranuthnoe at Boat Cove, Cornwall.MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN still at Dundalk at Soldier's Point, County Lough, Ireland.MEGA! LEAST SANDPIPER again at Loop Head 1 mile east of Kilbaha at Cloghaun Lough, County Clare, Ireland.

Tuesday, 23 August 2016

Hot was an understatement! My car's dash screen said it was 31c outside, so in old money it was 88F!!! Too hot to do anything really. I wanted to take my Mother out for the day, but she refused, not because of the heat, but because she still can't bring herself to escape and enjoy herself, since father had gone into care, which is such a shame.

Packed the car up, but delayed going out until after lunch. Headed to Wells and to Garden Drove at Warham Greens. Parked on the concrete pad and headed along the hedge-lined track. It was unbearably hot along here. Big numbers of Speckled Woods and Small Whites and other insects were abundant all the way to the copse. However, I didn't see or hear a single bird on route!

Had a nice chat with an elderly, local man with binoculars, who also hadn't seen any birds at all. He described meeting someone here once and I immediately knew it had to be J. Furse! He did a good take off!!! We had an interesting conversation about East Hills – he goes out there regularly to pick samphire and he recalled a story of a few years back, when he had been picking samphire out on the marshes – he stood up and realised the fog had surrounded him completely. He said that he decided not to panic and walked away from the sound of the sea, but a while later found himself by the water's edge!!! Just goes to show how disorientated you can be in this situation. He attempted again and ended on dry land, but at Stiffkey! He said that had it been an incoming tide, he would have more than probably drowned – this was pre mobile phone days. He told me that the creek with the quick sand, was named after a man that lost his life there many years ago, but annoyingly I can't remember the name of the creek now.

Anyway, I returned along the track and stumbled upon a small tit flock, consisting of Long-tailed Tits, Blue and Great Tit along with one Willow Warbler. The heat was almost sickening. Headed east to Cley. As I travelled along the A149 through Cley, I could see that Coastguards was jam packed with holiday makers, so gave that a miss. Went to the Cley NWT Visitor Centre and chilled with a pot of tea outside on the veranda, but had to return inside, there was no breeze at all.

Parked at Beach Road, Salthouse and discovered to my delight, that there was a patch of shade when I opened my car door, so got my deckchair out and relaxed. It was too hot to walk to Gramborough Hill yet. An hour later, I headed east to the 'hill'. The temperature was more bearable and there was a hint of sea breeze, thank goodness. No birds on route at all, apart from a Heron and a Little Egret fishing in the same dyke, with what seemed like argumentative squawks from them both. Sand Martins were cruising over the hill and there were a good number of gulls around, both in the skies and on the sea. I sat on the hill overlooking the large buddleia and counted at least 18 Small Tortoiseshells, 1 Comma and a Meadow Brown here. I sat here for ages, when suddenly some foliage rustled and a smart Willow Warbler appeared and later on I watched three simultaneously. Two Linnets also appeared, but nothing else of note. Trudged back over the shingle to my car.

Had a phone call from Summerville Care Home to say that my father had hardly eaten anything today and had been unusually sleepy, so they called a doctor out to him, who took his obs – his BP was lower than normal, but the doctor just thought he may be too hot and recommended washing him with a flannel to cool him down and tepid water to drink and get him to bed, which they did. Later when I phoned, I was told he seemed more alert. I wish they had told me that earlier as I probably wouldn't have gone out.

I really fancied watching the Pied and Spotted Flycatchers at West Runton again, so headed east. If I had known there was a Pied Fly in Sheringham Cemetery, I needn't have travelled so far! In fact if I had visited my Father instead, there was a Pied Flycatcher reported along Fenway, next to the care home where he lives! There was no sign of any flycatchers in the scrub by the goal posts at West Runton, so walked over to the blue tractor to have a second look at the Red-backed Shrike. Bumped into Rob and Jill Wilson here and we had a nice catch up. The Shrike performed beautifully, but still not close enough for my lens. Two Wheatears and one Whinchat were also flitting about between the fence posts. The light was disappearing fast now and it was still muggy. Two birds flew across the stubble field and a few seconds later another two joined them – Rob, Jill and I walked alongside the clifftop to get a closer look and the four birds turned out to be Golden Plover. Drove home and arrived back at about 9.45pm.

My Mother decided at the last minute, that she did want her weekly on-line shop (she had changed her mind a few days ago), so I had to do that before writing the blog! Back to work tomorrow, which I am not looking forward to in this heat at all, especially when we are moving patients and and us to a temporary new ward, whilst ours is being refurbished over the next 10 weeks!

MEGA NEWSMEGA! YELKOUAN SHEARWATER possible, Porthgwarra off Gwenna from Scillonian III, Cornwall.MEGA! ROYAL TERN ad. (probably American Royal Tern) again NNW of Listowel at Beale Point, County Kerry, Ireland.MEGA! BROWN BOOBY imm. on 14th August at sea for 2nd day on fishing boat off County Kerry, but no news since, Ireland.MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN still at Dundalk at Soldier's Point, County Lough, Ireland.MEGA! SWINHOE'S PETREL ad. male singing at The Havens at 12.45am, Fair Isle, Shetland.MEGA! HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL still 4 miles east of Penzance, 500yds west of Perranuthnoe at Boat Cove, Cornwall.MEGA! AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER again, 4 miles NNE of Aberdeen just south of Blackdog off Mucar Links, Aberdeenshire.

Monday, 22 August 2016

Arrived at Weybourne this afternoon and parked up alongside the willows – free parking! It was a glorious, sunny but blustery day. I made my way west along the shingle to the pine trees and scrub to see the Wryneck. However, I had made a fatal mistake – I had left my scope in the car. From pictures I had seen on the net, which I presumed where SLR, the Wryneck seemed like it was only a short distance away from the coastal path. I was cursing myself, when I realised I should have brought my scope. At this time of the day I was looking straight at the sun and birds were silhouetted and hard to ID, even through the bins. When I first arrived, Marcus Nash and his son had just seen the Wryneck and said 'I timed that just right' – but I hadn't, I never saw that bird in the 1.5 hours I stood here! Others birds seen here were: Whinchat, Stonechat, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Goldfinches x 2, and Linnets x 2. Marcus had also seen a Redstart here, but I didn't see that either. Another birder thought he had the Wryneck perched on a bramble, but it was sitting away from us and distantly with bins and I couldn't really see if it was or wasn't with the light as it was – I was waiting for it to drop to the ground, when two other birders turned up with a scope and informed us it was the Whinchat I had seen a few seconds earlier – sigh, oh well! I could have waited longer, but I've seen plenty of Wrynecks before and decided to head to West Runton. Obviously the Wryneck would show after I left and of course it did!

I parked at the car park at the end of Water Lane at West Runton. With no sign of the ticket man, I parked free again! The Red-backed Shrike was far more confiding and it only took me a few minutes before I saw it! I stood just east of the blue Ford tractor, by the corner of the fence line. The Red-backed Shrike spent most of its time feeding in the hedge that runs south – but I was very lucky when it flew across the field and perched on one of the fence posts, along with 2 Wheatears and a Whinchat! It was still distant for my SLR camera, but got a reasonable record shot. I saw 2 Whinchats here altogether and also some House Sparrows sitting in the hedge. I wasn't able to phone-scope video the shrike, as it didn't sit long enough, which was rather frustrating.

Whinchat at West Runton

I headed west through the car parking area to the scrub by the goal posts. It seemed to be alive with birds in here and I had a wonderful surprise of not only 2 Pied Flycatchers but also 2 Spotted Flycatchers as well and a Wren creeping around! The light was failing now, so I headed home.

Along the Holt Road, A148 just before Bale I could see lots of blue flashing lights and what looked like a big crash scene, with several big lorries, cars, ambulances, fire engine etc. The road was blocked with a police car and a police officer was directing traffic south along Sharrington Road. I hadn't got a clue where I was going, so stopped to set up the sat nav. and eventually came back onto the A148, where a police car was across the road, directing traffic down the road I had just come from – I note from the Eastern Daily Press website that an air ambulance attended as well – it didn't look good at all.

After arriving home, I found out that the little girl I used to be nanny too, Allegra Loch and who's wedding I attended in 2013, has just given birth to her first child – Aurelia Beatrice, which is wonderful news, but now I really do feel old!

Changed my mind about what I was doing today – I felt very tired and stressed. I also felt guilty, as I hadn't seen Father since last Sunday and really wanted to see him. So, I picked up my sister Lucy and drove to Heacham to visit Father. I have not seen Father in the morning for a long time and thought he might be more alert – wrong, he was very sleepy. But amusingly he seemed to wake up a little and chuckled when I told him about the cat incident this morning! Sometimes you think he isn't listening, but when you ask if he is, he gives a little nod – he always appears to be listening intently when I talk about birds. The staff have moved him from his permanent position in the conservatory, as he keeps complaining about the door being left open when other residents go in/out of the garden all day long. He is now sitting in the main living room, which is not so bright and sunny, but he looked much happier and warmer.

He seemed pleased that Lucy and I were there. We took him through to the dining room and helped him with his lunch and dessert. I also used my magic powers to encourage two other residents to eat their entire desserts, which they did! Gold star to me! We took Father back to the living room, where staff transferred him from the wheelchair to the armchair. Father wanted his hat on, so got that from his room, tucked him up with his blanket and left him to doze – he looked snug and happy.Took Lucy to Hunstanton, where we picked up some lunch and then headed to Holme to join Mother and Vivien. Lucy and I stayed at Holme, whilst Vivien took Mother to visit Father – so he had plenty of visitors today! Father was dozing when they visited him and they couldn't wake him up! Later on Vivien took Lucy back to King's Lynn and I went birding locally. Went to the village car park at Holme and watched the scrub for any migrants – I was hoping for a Pied Flycatcher, but only managed one Chiffchaff. It was extremely windy today, which really didn't help. I then went to Holme Marsh Reserve and sat in the first hide. It was completely dead here apart from 2 Moorhens and a Kestrel. Left and returned to King's Lynn – beautiful sunset as I drove past Ringstead Mill.Not bothering going to the Bird Fair this weekend – not in a very socialising mood at the moment! Pity I won't get my annual Simon King picture, but there we go!

MEGA NEWSMEGA! ZINO's/FEA'S PETREL flew past Bridges of Ross at 7.10am, County Clare, Ireland.MEGA! AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER again, 4 miles NNE of Aberdeen just south of Blackdog off Mucar Links, Aberdeenshire.MEGA! SOLITARY SANDPIPER still at Loop Head, 1 mile east of Kilbaha at Cloghaun Lough, Loop Head, County Clare, Ireland.MEGA! HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL still 4 miles east of Penzance, 500yds west of Perranuthnoe at Boat Cove, Cornwall.

Went to Skoda first thing. Quote 'very rare that happens.....' But all I needed to do I was told, was reset the tyre pressure in 'settings'!!!!!! Never had to do this, how the hell was I supposed to know that! Back at home and now one of the bleep bleep cats decided to shit right next to my driver's door – been cleaning shoes for the last 20 minutes, not happy!!!! Now off birding, finally!

Friday, 19 August 2016

Its been a very stressful few days – had to make endless, laborious phone calls to Weight Watchers, as I wasn't able to activate my new account – long story short, it is not compatible with Applemacs!!!!!! Hello, its 2016!!! Without activation I can't access the full list of foods to find out their smartpoints or access the App etc. I just couldn't believe this! Asked for refund, wonder how long that will take!

Took the car to the garage this morning for a valet, vehicle check etc – got a phone call at lunchtime to say I had a puncture and that a screw that had gone through the tyre completely and had damaged the tyre behind repair. Original bill at the end of the day should have been £24.99, instead it was a wonderful £142.30 – great!!!

I was thinking about going to the Rutland Bird Fair, but for the first time, I may not go. £15.00 to get in, petrol there, money spent there etc. Can't really afford to go, especially after just paying the garage bill. Plus, it looks like there could be some good birds to see tomorrow! I may go on Sunday, not sure. I have four days off work including this Monday and Tuesday, fabulous!

I hope everyone has a wonderful time at the Rutland Bird Fair and can someone please give Simon King a kiss and a hug from me! Don't forget to look at the Rare Bird Alert sightings board at the Bird Fair, to view the Mega I'm going to find this weekend!!! Open the link below for all the events taking place over the weekend, exhibitors etc!

After writing this post I nipped to the garage shop to get a few supplies and had a warning light come on the dashboard saying 'Loss of Pressure In Rear Left Tyre'!!! This is the same brand new tyre I have just paid for – fuming is an understatement, can't even go birding early morning now. I will be waiting at the Skoda garage when they open in a very angry mood!!!

The last time I had a few days off work it was ruined by my computer being corrupted, now its the car, so fed up. In desperate need of a stress free break, maybe, one day.

I need to re-title my post 'Its the Weekend! No, Birding, No Bird Fair & Four Days Off!'

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